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England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "physically able" to bowl, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, despite he did not bowl on the day three of a critical Ashes Test.

Stokes utilized a quintet of alternative bowlers as the Australian side progressed to 271-4 in their second innings, building a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the venue.

The versatile all-rounder had earlier battled for more than five hours at the wicket over two days to compile 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.

A Grueling Innings

Throughout his extended 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was struck on the head by a fast bowler and experienced muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after hitting his head on the turf while attempting a stop.

"He could be a little fatigued and just require some time to himself right now," commented Patel.

"From what I understand, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just really exhausted and he's taken a lot out of himself to reach this point in the game."

Past Fitness Concerns

Considering his chequered injury past – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the star all-rounder might be carrying a problem attracts considerable scrutiny.

Always keen to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was curious given it was England's last chance to remain alive in the Ashes series.

At trailing 2-0 and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of regaining the urn alive, England had given up a first-innings lead of 85 runs.

"All I know is he goes at 100%," remarked Patel. "If he thinks he can't do it at 100%, I don't think he's going to do it. That's likely where he's at."

The tourists could have stayed within the contest by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second knock and had faint chances at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the home team to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 142.

Although England bowled 66 overs, Stokes did not use himself.

"He didn't bowl but that's probably a separate conversation with him," said former New Zealand international Patel.

"I'm not entirely sure. We all know he doesn't do anything at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a liability, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

The most recent occasion Stokes limited his bowling was on the last day of the tied fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in July.

He subsequently missed the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder injury.

Stokes has a reputation of driving himself past breaking point, and it was suggested to Patel that the captain felt he might have endangered himself if he pushed himself any further in Adelaide.

Facing Imminent Loss

England stand on the edge of another loss in Australia, once again probably facing defeat inside the initial three matches of the series.

If the visitors' defeat is completed on day four, it would mean the outcome of the Ashes has been determined in 10 days – the first and second Tests were over in short periods respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia needed only eight days of play to win in England, has the victor of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a primary objective is to extend this match into a final day, England will also have to pull off the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.

"I still believe there's an opportunity for us," stated Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's high time we witnessed something special from us."

"After three matches, we've thrown some but taken a lot. It's time, now we're backed into a corner, to throw some haymakers."